Branched Chain Amino Acids as a Pharmacological Therapeutic for Concussion

This research is the first clinical trial of a targeted pharmacological therapeutic for mild traumatic brain injury, evaluating the efficacy of supplementation with a specific formulation of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) as a pharmacological therapeutic for concussion in teens and young adults, with the goal of accelerating symptomatic recovery and a return to baseline activity. 

Participants in the HIT HEADS* Trial presented with concussion to outpatient clinics, urgent care, and emergency departments within the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia network. They were divided into five groups—a placebo group, and then four different doses of daily BCAA supplementation. 

Each was assessed for a 21-day period after enrollment through daily computerized neurocognitive tests, concussion symptom score, physical and cognitive activity levels, treatment compliance, and with consideration of adverse events. 

For each 500 grams of the study-specific formula of BCAAs consumed, symptoms of participants decreased on average by over four points on a 0-54 point symptom scale, and physical activity increased by an average of 0.5 points on a 0-5 point activity scale. Participants also saw improvements in total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Minimal adverse events were reported, with a lower incidence in the highest treatment dose arms. 

While a larger study is needed to provide definitive evidence of the efficacy of this formulation of branched chain amino acids as a pharmacological therapeutic for concussion recovery, this work is a critical first step in the development of a targeted therapeutic for concussion. 

Read more about the role of branched chain amino acids and the study's findings. 

*The acronym, HIT HEADS, stands for “Head Injury Treatment with Healthy and Advanced Dietary Supplements.”